Is covering school books a waste of time?

I am convinced that the quality of the kraft paper we cover the school books in is way inferior to the quality of the covers that arrive with the books in the first place. I am of the opinion that covering most school books is a waste of time, resources and money. Sure - text books that will be used for a number of years - cover them and treat them with care. But a jotter that will be used for a month before it's full? Please. There are rain-forests to be saved.

[Marna]

Yes this is a stupid idea! Don't think we do it in Sweden any longer, the books are so quickly out of date!

[Judifff]

My Mother used to say the same thing! I can remember her going on strike and refusing to cover them one year haha :o)

[Kate Doyle]

I agree with you especially brown paper covers. It isn't required at my school but a brightly coloured cover can make it easier to find one book in a pile of 25.

[Megan Joy]

I don't like paper covers, but those colorful stretchy fabric covers are kind of cool, and can be reused.

[Eleanor Muller]

@appaloosa05 That sounds interesting - never seen them!

[Megan Joy]

http://www.booksox.com/webstore/product.aspx?grphead=BOOKSOX&code=72&list=72&type=ITEMCATEGORY

[Eleanor Muller]

@appaloosa05
Book Sox! What fun. Those are SERIOUSLY cool. And I see you have something called "3 subject notebooks". What's that? A clever marketing name for a thick note book, or is there some divider in the book?

[Megan Joy]

3 Subject and 5 Subject notebooks usually have 150 and 200 sheets of paper, respectively. And yes, there's usually a manila-covered devider of thicker paper that splits the notebook evenly into sections. I find them kind of annoying because the amount of paper given isn't usually enough for a semester's worth of notes and I end up spilling into another notebook, but I suppose they work for some people. Also it's easier to tote one thick notebook around rather than have 4 or 5 smaller and have the wire rings all stuck to each other in my backpack.

[Chantal Misplon]

I'm not sure what the quality is like now... but I used to enjoy covering my school books when I was in school - it was sort of like wrapping up presents - and do so love stationery. Those book sox look really cool though :)

[Karyn Romeis]

No book covering in the UK... thank goodness!

[Karen Lepp]

We use "book socks" in the U.S. They are stretchy and can be used over and over. They come in assorted sizes.

[Alisa Duffett / polly]

Well perhaps with the changing of the Curriculum...yet again...covering of books may seem like less of a priority?

[Alecio]

I love the detail!

[Ken Hawkins]

And I always thought covering of books was for teachers to find out what wallpaper they have in pupil's houses. Great detail though.

[Diana Moss]

I can remember covering my school books with wall paper.

[KeithDavid]

I see this as an abstract, without the explanation it's not clear what it is.. I like that about it. Nice color tones too

[Steve Harvey]

Nice framing.

[glynnis garrod]

Well having only been able to take leave in the week prior to term start - guess what I'm doing tonight !

[RebelDDS]

Our students use the stretchy fabric covers referred to as "book sox" above-I like that they can be reused, but think my kids are missing out on the fun of personalizing their own and their friends' book covers like we did years ago.
Love the photo!